The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1887-02-17
PENINSULA SUPERSTITION.
Prevalent in Lower Delaware and in Parts
Maryland.

Prevalent in Lower Delaware and in Parts
o. Ma 7yIaGd.
A belief in the supernatural and in
the forecasting of events by and signif-
ca ion of signs and omens is not, as is
generally supposed, restricted entirely
TO the negro race of the MARYLAND and
Delaware peninsula, wri\,s a Washing
ton correspondent OF the Philadelphia
Times. Superstition is prevalent 10 a
considerable degree among the whites,
and it is a curious fact that in many
families where wealth and intelligence
predominant, an implicit belief is placed
in signs and tokens and what they pOr-
tend. They are sincere in this belief
and wiz cite numerous instances where
a mysterious knock upon the door, the
startling rafting of Il window sash
when the air was calm and serene, or
the dismal bowling of dog have been
followed by bad luck" to give ap-
parent strength to it.
Among the white laboring classes
superstition holds their minds with
wonderful power. Any strange phe-
nomena in the heavens, anv abnormal
condition of the weather, or any un-
usual commotion on land or sea, each
| have their own special signitiranCe, and
while they all exercise an undue indu-
ence upon the minds of these people,
each one formuiates his or her own
opinion, and draw their own personal
conclusions as TO the probable sequence
of these signs. 4 lady. venerable in
years, prominent in society, living in
affluence, and residing III Maryland
town. once dismissed most dear and
intimate acquaintance with a severe
reprimand for trenching upon her ideas
with regard TO this belief. The subject
of superstition was under discussion
and q large circle of friends were pres
ent. This lady friend was ridiculng
such belief as preDosterous and ignor-
ant, and it was commented upon ad-
verseiy BY several otBer members of the
company. But the hostess was in
vulnerable to their attacks and hu-
morous puns, and good-naluredly re-
butIed them by several incidents which
occurred which We're in fresh recollec-
ton by all present, and incidentally
mentioned her horror OF a person look
| ING over her shoulder while she was
standing before q looking-giass. The
evening wore on, and when the COM
pany was about to disperse the hostess
arose TO arrange her hair before a small
toilet lOoking-g.aSs Her friend came
up behind her suddenly and peered over
her shoulder. A remarkable tableau
ensued. With blanched features the
hostess threw up her hands, and with a
wild shrek fell swooning 10 the floor.
The proper rcsloratives were resorted
to. and when she recovered conscious
ness she arose to her feet, nervous and
| timorous. Pointing her finger at her
| heretofore bosom friend. she said in a
firm, determined voice:
1--WE are friends no more. Coz
.EXpOstu,auOns were utterly useless;
she would listen TO no explanation, and,
with q wounded heart and her face
batned in tears, the lady took her de-
parture. This occurred twenty years
ago. They have never exchanged
words since. BY strange coincidence
of circumstances u month or SO alter
ward intelligence of the death of the
only brother OF the hostess, who was n
/ India. was received.
On the first day of the new year the
negro Is debarred the privilege of enter
ing white persons house, as their
presence is regarded as an omen of bad
luck throughout the entire year Woe
be to any person with a black skin who
crosses the threshold Of q white mans
house on the first day of the new year.
A negro man came near paving the
penalty of his forgetfulness in this
respect with his life. He started in the
gate of a house and WAS advancing to-
ward the door, when he was confronted
by the resolute and angry occupant,
who stood ready TO receive him with
wood-aX. The frightened negro sudden
ly collected his senses. and, remember
inc the day, turned to fee As he did
so the AK was hurled after him. and
went whzzng over his head, the helve
knocEing oil his hat.
There IS to-day living in lower Della
ware an old gentleman. once conspicu-
Gus in public life. who constantly keeps
his gun charged with old-fashioned
silver scent pieces, who has an inn
ptlct belief in their virtue to DESTROY
the power Of negro coniurers when fired
at them. There are several more VINO
| keep their revolvers loaded with the
same metal for the same purpose. Why
the annihilating qualities OF silver are
more superior to lead or gold, they are
unable to explain. Yet tnev are pro-
foundly sincere in their belief that a
volley of the jjngling metal fired at, not
into the body of coniurer, will dis
solve his mysterious power, and prevent
him from committing harm.
Superstition in the negro is proverbial.
We can easily understand that the root
from which springs his absurd ideas is
ignorance. But why it should hold
men aud women of brilliant minds and
OF high social distinction in its grasp is
I psychological question we can not
answer.
In some parts of MARYLAND the people
will not have the house leek. n small
green plant bearing pink flower. upon
their premises. This plant blooms. ac-
cordiug to their theory, but once in
seven Years. ana should one of them be
in or near the house ut the time Of
b oomjng, when ihe tiny bud begins to
develop someone vii, be taken sick. and
AS 1t continues to expand they will grow
worse, and when it has bloomed into
the perfect flower they will die
Another superstition characteristic of
this oStraciSed plant is that so long as
anyone carries 4 leaf about with them
adrersity will be close at their heels
There are countless numbers of signs
and omens of il!-luck. sickness. death,
disappointment, etc. that make a Curl
Gus and interesting category The
bowling of dog is a sure sign of
death. and when throwing your shoes
on the floor. should they turn upside
down, the grim spectre viii claim some
member of the family ere the year has
passed. The dropping of the dish-rag
foretells the coming of a stranger: TO
meet a funeral on the street is an Ill
oman aod MANY will ,ro SnuaraS ont ~